Coming soon: new electric cars

Fully electric vehicles still account for a tiny proportion of car sales, but that could change in the next few years. These are the upcoming models that push the boundaries of performance, range...

Steve Huntingford

01 November 2016

Mini E

Between 2009 and 2010, Mini produced an experimental electric car (above) and leased it for trials. But from 2019 you'll actually be able to buy a fully electric Mini E. This will be based on one of the company's existing models, and Mini boss Peter Schwarzenbauer has said that it will feature "completely new battery technology" to make it far more usable than existing electric vehicles.

Porsche Mission E

Porsche's answer to the Tesla Model S was first shown at the 2015 Frankfurt motor show, and is a four-door, four-seat, four-wheel drive supercar powered exclusively by electric batteries. In combination with two electric motors, it promises a 0-62mph time of just 3.5sec. And thanks to a new 800v charging system (twice as powerful as today’s quick chargers), it can receive an 80% charge in just 15 minutes. Sales of the Mission E will start in 2020.

Skoda Vision E

Revealed at this year's Shanghai motor show, the Vision E is Skoda’s first electric car. However, it's set to be the first of many, with the Czech brand stating that by 2025 one in four Skodas will be either a plug-in hybrid or fully electric. Expect the production version of the Vision E to be offered with a range of power outputs and to have five seats rather than the four of the concept.